**_How far can a civilized man be pushed?_** A well-to-do couple from Los Angeles (James Marsden and Kate Bosworth) move back to the wife's hometown in southern Mississippi and settle into the now vacant homestead. They enlist some roofers whom she knows from growing up, the leader being 6'4" Charlie (Alexander Skarsgård), a former boyfriend. Rivalry is in the air as he subtly tries to emasculate Amy’s brainy husband and she starts to question his manhood. Havoc ensues. “Straw Dogs” (2011) was shot in late summer, 2009, but not released until two years later. It’s a remake of the Peckinpah's film from 40 years prior, which changes the setting from the Cornish countryside of southwest England to the modern Deep South. It’s a psychological-thriller and so there's a lot of drama and subtle suspense build-up; things don't blow-up until the final act, similar to “Cop Land.” Anyone looking for mindless action should stay away, but those who enjoy films shot in the Deep South will likely appreciate this newer version. There are also similarities to "Of Mice and Men," like the mentally challenged guy who doesn't know his own strength (Dominic Purcell). The conflict here is basically brawn vs. brain or Lynyrd Skynyrd vs. Bach. Some have complained that Marsden was wrong for the role of the protagonist since it called for someone of shorter stature, like Dustin Hoffman in the original, but I feel Marsden is an improvement as David. This is a totally civilized man of average stature (5'10") with an intellectual occupation who is forced to shed all his civilized conditioning and revert back to the barbarism of his ancestors. Meanwhile Bosworth is superior to Susan George IMHO because she’s more intelligent and less all-around annoying. In fact, every key character is superior to the 1971 movie because of quality casting. Skarsgård, for instance, is both more likable or respectable (initially) and intimidating as Charlie compared to Del Henney. And James Caan is simply more entertaining in the role originally played by Peter Vaughan. There are also additional scenes that make it better than Peckinpah’s rendition, like the confrontation in the church parking lot and David’s explanation of what ‘straw dogs’ means. Questions are raised: Why would a rape-victim keep silent? Why is the popular high school cheerleader interested in the local mentally-challenged hunk? Why does the ex-coach hate this poor sob and why is he so rash? A little reflection will answer these and other questions. I like it when films don't spell everything out and make you think. If you appreciate Southern Gothic or Rural Gothic, as well as psychological crime thrillers, you should appreciate this. The flick is sophisticated and sneers at binary good/bad characterizations, rubbing the viewer’s face in humanity’s animalistic (or fallen) nature, which lies just beneath the veneer of civilized proprieties. I should add that there's a hard-to-watch rape scene and at least one other sexually suggestive scene (where you can't make anything out, but you know what's going on), not to mention the mayhem of the climax. But it's mostly an intelligent drama that slowly builds tension. It runs 1 hour, 50 minutes, which is 8 minutes less than the 1971 version (making it more streamlined). It was shot in Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana, and Vivian, which is a half hour drive northwest of the city. GRADE: B
Brimming with action while incisively examining the nature of truth, "Rashomon" is perhaps the finest film ever to investigate the philosophy of justice. Through an ingenious use of camera and flashbacks, Kurosawa reveals the complexities of human nature as four people recount different versions of the story of a man's murder and the rape of his wife.
When their ocean liner capsizes, a group of passengers struggle to survive and escape.
When beautiful young Grace arrives in the isolated township of Dogville, the small community agrees to hide her from a gang of ruthless gangsters, and, in return, Grace agrees to do odd jobs for the townspeople.
NYPD cop John McClane's plan to reconcile with his estranged wife is thrown for a serious loop when, minutes after he arrives at her offices Christmas Party, the entire building is overtaken by a group of terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking McClane sets out to single-handedly rescue the hostages and bring the bad guys down.
Anaïs is twelve and bears the weight of the world on her shoulders. She watches her older sister, Elena, whom she both loves and hates. Elena is fifteen and devilishly beautiful. Neither more futile, nor more stupid than her younger sister, she cannot understand that she is merely an object of desire. And, as such, she can only be taken. Or had. Indeed, this is the subject: a girl's loss of virginity. And, that summer, it opens a door to tragedy.
London is terrorized by a vicious sex killer known as The Necktie Murderer. Following the brutal slaying of his ex-wife, down-on-his-luck Richard Blaney is suspected by the police of being the killer. He goes on the run, determined to prove his innocence.
A couple vacationing in Morocco with their young son accidentally stumble upon an assassination plot. When the child is kidnapped to ensure their silence, they have to take matters into their own hands to save him.
20 volunteers agree to take part in a seemingly well-paid experiment advertised by the university. It is supposed to be about aggressive behavior in an artificial prison situation. A journalist senses a story behind the ad and smuggles himself in among the test subjects. They are randomly divided into prisoners and guards. What seems like a game at the beginning soon turns into bloody seriousness.
During the final weeks of a presidential race, the President is accused of sexual misconduct. To distract the public until the election, the President's adviser hires a Hollywood producer to help him stage a fake war.
Scout Finch, 6, and her older brother Jem live in sleepy Maycomb, Alabama, spending much of their time with their friend Dill and spying on their reclusive and mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley. When Atticus, their widowed father and a respected lawyer, defends a black man named Tom Robinson against fabricated rape charges, the trial and tangent events expose the children to evils of racism and stereotyping.
When teen-socialite Kelly Van Ryan and troubled bad girl Suzie Toller accuse guidance counselor Sam Lombardo of rape, he's suspended by the school, rejected by the town, and fighting to get his life back. One cop suspects conspiracy, but nothing is what it seems...